Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards and his Young Life Pontiac team got some valued assistance at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway as three young men from Young Life's Capernaum Ministries became "team members" this past weekend as guests of Mike and his wife Lisa. The trio was at the track Friday and Saturday for an up-close look at the inner workings of a professional drag racing team that few get to see, and they also received a goody bag filled with a shirt, hat and other race collectibles.  Fellow Pro Stock competitor and defending series champ Jason Line also stopped by on Saturday morning to sign autographs and take a few pictures to complete the fun-filled weekend. 

Young Life Capernaum Ministries is a program of Young Life established for kids and young adults with disabilities, giving them encouragement and the chance to have fun, make friends and have fellowship like their able-bodied peers.

"This group's from South Carolina, and they always make a trip to the NHRA race at Atlanta," Mike Edwards said. "We always see them there. They just wanted to get away, they wanted a little road trip, so we invited them up and provided for their hotel and transportation - it's a racing weekend on us. We got them some shirts and a lot of neat stuff, and they're having a big time. They're special people. I tell you what, you think you've got hard times, and you see these young men, and it will make you change your attitude fast." Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards and his Young Life Pontiac team got some valued assistance at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway as three young men from Young Life's Capernaum Ministries became "team members" this past weekend as guests of Mike and his wife Lisa. The trio was at the track Friday and Saturday for an up-close look at the inner workings of a professional drag racing team that few get to see, and they also received a goody bag filled with a shirt, hat and other race collectibles.  Fellow Pro Stock competitor and defending series champ Jason Line also stopped by on Saturday morning to sign autographs and take a few pictures to complete the fun-filled weekend. 

Young Life Capernaum Ministries is a program of Young Life established for kids and young adults with disabilities, giving them encouragement and the chance to have fun, make friends and have fellowship like their able-bodied peers.

"This group's from South Carolina, and they always make a trip to the NHRA race at Atlanta," Mike Edwards said. "We always see them there. They just wanted to get away, they wanted a little road trip, so we invited them up and provided for their hotel and transportation - it's a racing weekend on us. We got them some shirts and a lot of neat stuff, and they're having a big time. They're special people. I tell you what, you think you've got hard times, and you see these young men, and it will make you change your attitude fast."

Unfortunately the strong moral support wasn't enough to help Edwards crack the ultra-competitive field of 16 and he posted his second DNQ of the season.  

"I told them they picked a good race to come to because I needed someone to help lift me up," Edwards said. "We're not running too good right now, but it's a great weekend anytime we can host people like that. You want to race and do well, but there are other parts to this team too. We want to express our love to these young men, and just try and help them and encourage them.  We show them everything on the car, and we basically let them do anything they want to do. It's pretty special."

Edwards is in his sixth year associated with Young Life. He and his wife Lisa have established an inspiring program with the youth ministry organization to help mentor young kids by hosting a group in nearly every race market on the 23-race NHRA circuit, and to host a group like the young men from Capernaum makes race weekend even more special to them.

"You may think you have problems until you meet a group of young people like these guys," Lisa Edwards said. "It's very humbling. They have such a 'can-do' attitude that it's just amazing."

Watch Video: Mike Edwards and the Young Life Pontiac team with the Capernaum group at Bristol Dragway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c43MgYdA_pc